Rice Bran Oil Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Extraction,Squeezing), By Application (Refined Rice Bran Oil,Cosmetic,Industry,Others), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Rice Bran Oil Market Overview

The Rice Bran Oil Market size was valued at USD 1412.06 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1842.32 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3% from 2025 to 2033.

The rice bran oil market has become a significant segment in the global edible oil industry due to its health benefits, rising consumer awareness, and industrial versatility. Rice bran oil is extracted from the outer brown layer of rice, which constitutes around 8% of the total rice kernel weight and contains approximately 16%–22% oil content. Globally, more than 750 million metric tons of rice are produced annually, generating nearly 60 million tons of rice bran, which is a key raw material for rice bran oil extraction.

Japan was the first country to commercialize rice bran oil in the 1950s, and today countries like India, China, Thailand, and Vietnam dominate production. India alone processes over 1 million metric tons of rice bran annually for oil extraction, supplying nearly 60% of the global refined rice bran oil. Rice bran oil contains 38% monounsaturated fats, 37% polyunsaturated fats, and 25% saturated fats, making it a heart-friendly edible oil. It also contains γ-oryzanol, phytosterols, tocopherols, and tocotrienols, contributing to its popularity in nutraceuticals and cosmetics. The global production of refined rice bran oil crossed 1.4 million metric tons in 2024, showing rapid adoption in the food processing and health-focused industries.

Key Findings

DRIVER: Rising health awareness and demand for low-cholesterol edible oils are driving demand for rice bran oil.

COUNTRY/REGION: India is the leading producer and consumer, accounting for over 60% of global rice bran oil production.

SEGMENT: Refined rice bran oil holds the largest market share due to its usage in culinary and food processing industries.

Rice Bran Oil Market Trends

The rice bran oil market is witnessing a significant transformation due to shifting dietary preferences, increasing demand for functional foods, and growing industrial usage. In 2023, over 1.2 million metric tons of rice bran oil were consumed globally, with nearly 780,000 metric tons attributed to refined edible applications. A key trend is the rising demand for cold-pressed rice bran oil in premium food and skincare segments, especially in North America and Europe. The cold-pressed variant accounted for 12% of the global supply in 2023, showing a rise from just 5% in 2018.

γ-oryzanol, a compound found at concentrations of 1.5% in rice bran oil, is being increasingly studied and commercialized for cholesterol reduction and antioxidant applications. Japan and South Korea introduced over 30 new pharmaceutical or nutraceutical products using rice bran-derived bioactive components in the last two years. In cosmetics, rice bran oil is being incorporated into over 180 new product formulations launched in 2023, particularly for anti-aging, sun protection, and moisturizing effects.

The organic rice bran oil segment grew by 14,000 metric tons between 2022 and 2024, driven by certification demands and clean-label product trends. Furthermore, the foodservice sector in Southeast Asia and Latin America is increasingly substituting traditional oils like palm and soybean with rice bran oil, owing to its high smoke point of 232°C and mild taste. The expansion of online grocery and health food channels has increased consumer access to rice bran oil, with e-commerce contributing 9% to total sales in 2024.

Rice Bran Oil Market Dynamics

Rice Bran Oil Market Dynamics refers to the complex and interrelated factors that influence the growth, behavior, and direction of the rice bran oil industry. These dynamics include various internal and external forces such as market drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges.

DRIVE

Rising demand for functional and heart-healthy edible oils

Growing health concerns, particularly about cholesterol, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases, are increasing the global demand for heart-healthy edible oils. Rice bran oil, containing 1,000 ppm of γ-oryzanol and over 100 mg/100g of phytosterols, is gaining preference among health-conscious consumers. In India alone, rice bran oil's retail penetration increased by 22% in urban households between 2021 and 2024. Nutritionists promote rice bran oil for its ability to lower LDL cholesterol and maintain HDL levels. The American Heart Association and Indian Council of Medical Research have supported rice bran oil as a healthier cooking oil alternative. Foodservice chains in Thailand and Indonesia are increasingly shifting to rice bran oil for frying due to its oxidative stability.

RESTRAINT

Limited shelf life and susceptibility to rancidity

Despite its benefits, rice bran oil faces challenges in terms of stability. Due to the presence of unsaturated fatty acids and enzymatic activity, freshly milled rice bran can become rancid within 6 hours unless stabilized. The free fatty acid content can rise by over 5% in under 12 hours if not processed promptly. This necessitates immediate stabilization using heat or chemical methods, increasing production costs and infrastructure requirements. Developing countries lack adequate cold storage or rapid transportation facilities, leading to wastage of raw material. Additionally, its shelf life ranges between 6–12 months, shorter than refined palm or soybean oils.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion into pharmaceutical and personal care sectors

The unique composition of rice bran oil, including 4% unsaponifiables and 0.2%–0.4% oryzanol-rich fractions, opens doors for pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, and nutraceutical applications. Between 2023 and 2024, over 70 new dietary supplements with rice bran oil extracts were registered in Europe and Asia-Pacific. The cosmetics industry is adopting rice bran oil in facial serums, cleansers, and creams due to its emollient and antioxidant properties. The personal care market for rice bran oil-based products reached an estimated 24,000 tons in 2024. R&D on tocotrienol extraction from rice bran is also leading to patented formulations for skin and neuroprotection.

CHALLENGE

Inconsistent raw material quality and fragmented supply chain

One of the major bottlenecks in rice bran oil production is the inconsistency in rice bran quality. Milling units across Asia operate on varied scales, resulting in rice bran with moisture content ranging from 10%–15% and oil content between 14%–22%. The absence of standardized collection mechanisms reduces efficiency. Additionally, over 35% of rice bran goes uncollected or is used in low-value applications like cattle feed. Small-scale processors lack access to modern solvent extraction and degumming technologies, resulting in crude oil yields below 16%. Fragmentation in procurement and limited consolidation hinder scalability and pricing consistency.

Rice Bran Oil Market Segmentation

The rice bran oil market is segmented by type and application. In 2024, type-based segmentation revealed that extraction-based rice bran oil held over 70% of market share due to industrial-scale solvent processing. Application-wise, refined rice bran oil dominated with more than 68% usage share in food and culinary applications globally.

By Type

• Extraction: Solvent extraction accounts for the majority of rice bran oil production, especially in countries like India, China, and Vietnam. Over 1 million tons of crude rice bran oil were extracted using hexane-based methods in 2023. The extraction process ensures 18%–20% oil recovery efficiency and is favored for refining-grade output. However, solvent residues and environmental issues are closely regulated in markets like the EU.
• Squeezing: Mechanical or cold-pressed squeezing is gaining traction, especially in premium markets. In Japan and the United States, over 24,000 metric tons of cold-pressed rice bran oil were sold in 2023, typically commanding 30% higher retail prices. Cold pressing yields between 12%–16% oil, but retains higher levels of antioxidants and phytochemicals, making it suitable for direct retail and cosmetic use.

By Application

• Refined Rice Bran Oil: This segment accounted for over 950,000 metric tons in 2024, driven by use in frying, baking, and packaged snacks. Major food processors in Southeast Asia and India shifted 20% of their oil blends to rice bran formulations.
• Cosmetic: Approximately 30,000 metric tons of rice bran oil were used in cosmetics globally, with leading demand from Japan, France, and South Korea. Anti-aging creams with rice bran oil components showed 12% higher sales in 2023 than in 2021.
• Industry: Non-edible applications in lubricants, biodiesel, and soaps consumed nearly 120,000 metric tons. In China, over 40 biodiesel plants utilize rice bran oil as feedstock.
• Others: Minor applications such as animal feed fortification, pharmaceuticals, and dietary supplements accounted for 60,000 metric tons in 2023.

Regional Outlook for the Rice Bran Oil Market

The rice bran oil market shows strong geographic variance driven by rice production, technological capacity, and dietary trends. Asian countries dominate production and consumption.

• North America

The North American market is characterized by increasing demand for cold-pressed and organic rice bran oil. The United States imported over 18,000 metric tons of rice bran oil in 2023, mostly from India and Thailand. Organic variants saw 8% annual volume growth in health food chains and online retail platforms. Cosmetic brands in the U.S. launched over 25 rice bran oil-based skincare products in the past year.

• Europe

Europe is emerging as a key importer, particularly for pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical uses. Germany, France, and Italy together accounted for 12,000 metric tons of rice bran oil imports in 2023. EU regulations on hexane residues and sustainability certifications are driving demand for cold-pressed oils. Over 15% of rice bran oil imports in 2024 were certified organic or non-GMO.

• Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is the production and consumption hub, contributing over 80% of global rice bran oil supply. India produced more than 1 million metric tons in 2024, with 75% refined for domestic edible use. China processed over 200,000 metric tons, while Thailand exported more than 50,000 metric tons primarily to Japan and Australia. Japan used 32,000 metric tons of rice bran oil in nutraceuticals and cosmetics in 2024.

• Middle East & Africa

Middle East & Africa region is an emerging consumer of rice bran oil. Saudi Arabia and UAE imported 8,000 metric tons combined in 2024, mainly for health food retail. South Africa is witnessing growth in cosmetic formulations using rice bran oil, with over 20 new products launched between 2023 and 2024.

List of Top Rice Bran Oil Companies

• Ricela
• BCL
• SVROil
• Vaighai Agro Products
• P. Refinery
• 3F Industries
• Sethia Oils
• BIRBHUM OILS INDUSTRIES
• Jain Group of Industries
• Tsuno Rice Fine Chemicals
• Agrotech International
• Shivangi Oils
• Kamal
• Balgopal
• Oryza Oil & Fat Chemical
• King Rice Oil Group
• Habib Industries
• Wilmar International
• Surin Bran Oil
• Suriny
• RITO
• RiceBran Technologies
• Wanyuan Food & Oil
• Qaxld
• Jinrun
• Honghulang Rice Industry
• Hubei Tianxing
• Shanxin
• Jinwang

Ricela: India-based Ricela processed over 350,000 metric tons of rice bran in 2024, holding over 25% share of refined rice bran oil in South Asia.

Tsuno Rice Fine Chemicals: Japan’s Tsuno is a leader in high-purity γ-oryzanol extraction and supplies over 60% of oryzanol used in pharmaceuticals globally.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investment in the rice bran oil market has increased due to favorable returns, raw material abundance, and growing end-use sectors. Over USD 250 million equivalent was invested globally between 2022 and 2024 in refinery expansions, extraction units, and cold-pressing technology. In India, 12 new solvent extraction plants were commissioned between 2022 and 2024, adding over 500,000 metric tons of rice bran processing capacity.

Private equity firms are targeting nutraceutical applications; one such deal in 2023 saw USD 30 million invested in oryzanol extraction and formulation capacity in Southeast Asia. Japanese pharmaceutical firms have invested in rice bran tocotrienol extraction technologies for neuroprotective drug research. Government-backed agri-processing schemes in Vietnam and Bangladesh have enabled small and medium rice mills to install mini-extraction units with capacities ranging from 50 to 200 tons/day.

New Product Development

Innovation is driving diversification in the rice bran oil market, especially in premium food and personal care sectors. Between 2023 and 2024, over 180 new SKUs of rice bran oil-based products were introduced globally. In Japan, cold-pressed rice bran oil infused with yuzu extract was launched in gourmet retail, achieving sales of over 100,000 bottles in under six months. In South Korea, a leading cosmetic brand launched an anti-aging cream containing 12% rice bran oil, with initial sales exceeding 500,000 units.

India’s FMCG sector introduced 15 new cooking oil blends with 20%–30% rice bran oil mixed with sunflower or olive oil to appeal to health-conscious consumers. In the U.S., a sports nutrition company developed a rice bran oil-based protein energy bar targeting cardiac health, enriched with γ-oryzanol and tocotrienols.

In pharmaceuticals, Tsuno Rice Fine Chemicals collaborated with a German firm to patent a formulation of γ-oryzanol with coenzyme Q10 for cardiovascular support. European food companies are integrating rice bran oil into bakery items to replace trans-fat-laden fats, citing its 50% reduction in cholesterol-raising saturated fat levels compared to butter. Innovation is also taking place in packaging, with 100% biodegradable pouches introduced by several rice bran oil manufacturers to cater to environmentally conscious consumers.

Five Recent Developments

• Ricela commissioned a 250 TPD refinery in Haryana, India, in May 2024 to expand its edible oil processing capacity, increasing its rice bran oil refining output by 20%.
• Tsuno Rice Fine Chemicals launched a new oryzanol concentrate in April 2023 with 98% purity aimed at pharmaceutical applications, targeting European regulatory approval by Q3 2024.
• Wilmar International introduced cold-pressed rice bran oil in the Singaporean market in August 2023, with an annual target of 10,000 metric tons, sourced from Thailand and India.
• Vaighai Agro Products collaborated with a South Korean skincare brand in July 2024 to develop a rice bran oil-based anti-blemish facial serum projected to ship over 1 million units in the first year.
• Suriny completed a USD 12 million upgrade of its Thai refinery facility in February 2024, adding 150 TPD solvent extraction and distillation lines dedicated to high-purity rice bran oil.

Report Coverage of Rice Bran Oil Market

This report offers detailed coverage of the global rice bran oil market, analyzing production volumes, end-use sectors, key players, and investment trends. The report spans data across more than 30 countries, with in-depth insights into Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and Middle East & Africa markets. It evaluates supply chain structures, raw material sourcing volumes, and processing yields at a granular level. Over 100 rice bran oil production facilities globally were profiled to assess output capacities, technology adoption, and market reach.

The scope includes analysis of oil extraction technologies, such as solvent extraction (yielding 18%–20% efficiency) and mechanical squeezing (yielding 12%–16%), and how these methods affect product grades. The report reviews over 50 product innovations using rice bran oil in culinary, cosmetic, industrial, and pharmaceutical categories. It includes market dynamics with over 100 numerical datapoints covering raw material utilization rates, household penetration percentages, antioxidant concentration comparisons, and import/export figures.

Furthermore, the report delves into regulatory frameworks impacting rice bran oil labeling, hexane residue compliance, and organic certifications across key markets such as the EU, US, and Japan. Special emphasis is placed on emerging opportunities in personal care and nutraceuticals, tracking over 70 new product launches and 40 patents in development or granted since 2023. The report concludes with a forward-looking investment and product roadmap for 2025–2028, based on current expansions, partnerships, and sustainability trends.

Frequently Asked Questions